SALEM, United States — The Oregon and Texas legislatures have both passed bills that would require electronics manufacturers to pay for the collection and recycling of e-waste from consumers in their states. Unanimous votes in both states sent these "producer responsibility" bills to their respective governors for final approval, which would make these the sixth and seventh states to pass laws mandating electronic waste recycling programs. Both Governors are expected to sign the bills into law.

The other states with e-waste laws on the books are Maine, California, Maryland, Washington State, and Minnesota, which passed its law earlier this month. All of these states laws require manufacturer-paid recycling except California, which uses a consumer fee system. Bills are still pending in several state legislatures and New York City. E-waste bills were introduced in 23 states in 2007.

"Not only are States saying that it's time for the electronics industry to take responsibility for recycling their products, but they are passing these bills with unanimous votes and little debate," said Barbara Kyle, national coordinator for the Computer TakeBack Campaign. "Even though the television manufacturers still lobby against bills that would give them any responsibility for recycling, the momentum in the States is building for corporate accountability for managing our growing e-waste problem."

The Oregon bill, HB 2626 -- sponsored by Representative Jackie Dingfelder -- was passed unanimously in the Senate. The bill requires manufacturers that sell products in the state to finance free, convenient and environmentally sound recycling services for televisions, personal computers, laptops and monitors. Manufacturers can create their own takeback program, or participate in a common program, but they must pay for collection and transportation in addition to recycling costs.

Other than the costs for education and promotion, there will be no additional costs to state and local governments. The bill also includes a landfill ban on televisions, computers, laptops and monitors, effective January 1, 2010. The Governor has five working days to act, once a bill reaches his desk.

The Texas bill, House Bill 2714, which was based on model bill language from Dell Inc, applies to computer equipment but not to televisions. The bill requires computer manufacturers selling in the state to establish free and convenient programs to collect and recycle their own brand of desktops, laptops and monitors sold to consumers. Retailers would only be allowed to sell brands of computers that appear on a list of manufacturers with recovery programs.

This list would be maintained by the state environmental agency, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In addition, the TCEQ would be required to educate the public regarding the computer recycling program, maintain program information on a web site, enforce requirements for recycling computer equipment, and compile and issue an annual electronic report to the Legislature. Consumers are responsible for clearing information off their computer equipment before turning their equipment in for recycling and disposal.

"We are thrilled that Texas is the first 'red state' to pass a bill holding computer companies accountable for taking back their old products," said Robin Schneider, Executive Director of Texas Campaign for the Environment. "We applaud the Texas Legislature which unanimously backed the bill on every vote. HB 2714 drew an extremely broad range of support from the business community including Dell, HP and electronic waste recyclers, to local governments and environmental groups."